In fairness, for a while it was looking like C-17 would be a dead programme. If it wasn't for the dribs and drabs of orders Long Beach has managed to eke out from the Canadians and others the French would be SOL because the line would have been closed by now given the reluctance to give USAF any more a few years back.
No matter what Gates says it's hard to see no more 17s for USAF now that the line is still humming especially given the operational requirements for Afstan, the issues the C-5 fleet has been having and the continuing delay in any lift enhancement arising from the replacement of KC-135.